Package holidays: family fun in the sun
From playgrounds and story time for tots to adrenaline- fuelled activities for teens, Charlotte Cullinan rounds up breaks that are ideal for families with children this summer
Up to 3 years
Following a refurbishment the H10 Rubicon Palace in Lanzarote’s Playa Blanca is now a five-star property, and Jet2holidays proposes it as the ideal getaway for families with babies and toddlers.
Alongside a playground there are three dedicated children’s pools, with water cannons and a pirate ship slide. A small sandy cove is 500 metres away.
The kids’ clubs cater for one to 16-year-olds, with the tots’ group offering arts and crafts, small team games, story time and water play.
The hotel is styled as a Canarian village, with low-rise buildings and palm trees set against the backdrop of the mountains.
Book it: Prices start at £1,557 for two adults and a two year-old, based on seven nights’ half-board in a double-sea or pool-view room. Departing on April 27, 2018, the price includes Stansted flights and transfers. trade.jet2holidays.com
Age 3 to 6
For youngsters who want to play all day, how about a 3,000-square-metre dedicated kids’ zone, with a pink castle packed with activities, and an outdoor pirate-themed water area?
The Princess and The Pirate Kids’ Park is part of The Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Limassol, which opens on March 26, on the site of the former Le Meridien Limassol.
The property is available through Olympic Holidays and chief executive Clare Tobin explains: “It’s a fantastic base for families to explore Cyprus. The resort is great-value luxury, with a choice of room types designed to welcome all family sizes.”
Book it: Prices for two adults and two children start at £3,799 for seven nights’ B&B in a premium park view room, including private taxi transfers, lounge passes and flights from Gatwick, departing on August 28, 2018. olympicholidays.com
Age 7 to 10
At Thomas Cook’s portfolio of Sunwing Family Resorts everything is family-focused – from the large pools to the entertainment and sports.
Suggest the Sunwing Arguineguin Seafront in Gran Canaria to parents with seven to 10 year-olds, as kids can try their hand at T-shirt painting, join treasure hunts, compete in quizzes and tuck into pizza nights.
Sports include football, tennis, basketball and water polo, and guests can play pool and table tennis, or take a 500-metre stroll to the beach.
Once the kids have exhausted themselves outside they can enjoy some downtime in the games room.
Book it: Seven nights’ self-catering starts at £619pp, based on two adults and two children sharing a sea-view one-bedroom apartment. Includes flights from Manchester on July 26, 2018. thomascookworld.com
Age 11 to 14
Caribtours recommends families with tweens and early teens head to the Eagles Villas in Halkidiki, Greece, which opened last April.
It boasts indoor and outdoor pools, two tennis courts and is two minutes’ walk to the beach. Families are free to use the facilities at the adjacent Eagles Palace Hotel, including water sports, Padi diving centre, restaurants and bars.
Caribtours’ head of sales Rebecca Bryson explains: “The Eagles Villas provide spacious relaxation and private pools. The Eagles Palace offers an Explorers kids’ club located by the beach as well as a variety of adventurous activities including waterskiing, canoeing, wake boarding, beach volleyball, tennis and a playground. Meanwhile, adults can unwind in peace at the hotel’s luxurious Elemis Spa.”
Book it: Caribtours offers seven nights’ B&B for £6,599, based on two adults and an 11 and 14 year-old sharing a one-bedroom junior villa with pool. Includes flights from Gatwick, private airport transfers and UK lounge passes. caribtours.co.uk
Age 15 to 18
Sunvil sales and marketing manager Rachel Jelley suggests Corfu for families with teens. “There is an abundance of things to see and do,” she explains.
“There are many beaches to relax on, mountain villages to explore and Corfu Town – the charming and elegant capital of the island. Guests can also easily visit Paxos on a day trip and the Greek mainland.”
In November 2017 the specialist added the Villa Lentzos in Aghios Gordis to its GIC The Villa Collection brand. Offering a private pool, it’s near a sandy beach that is almost a mile long.
Book it: A seven-night holiday at the villa starts at £1,172pp based on four sharing, and including flights from Gatwick and car hire. All GIC properties offer a complimentary welcome pack on arrival, plus maid service and linen change twice weekly. gicthevillacollection.com
Children of totally different ages
For an abundance of activities to please children of varying ages, look to Mark Warner. The operator’s resorts have kids’ clubs catering for children aged four months to 17 years, so customers needn’t compromise on either their toddler or teen’s holiday.
Agency sales manager Julie Franklin explains: “The childcare clubs are split into different age ranges, so that each group can truly have a great holiday and enjoy activities that are age appropriate.”
This summer Mark Warner will become the fist UK tour operator to offer dinghy and windsurf foiling, which allows riders to lift their vessel out of the water at high speeds. It will be available at Kos’ Lakitira Beach Resort and Rhodes’ Levante Beach Resort.
Book it: A week at the Levante Beach Resort in Rhodes on a half-board basis starts from £1,599 per adult and £1,419 per child (aged up to and including 11 years), arriving on July 21, 2018. The price includes flights from Heathrow or Manchester, resort transfers, numerous activities and free childcare for two to 17-year-olds. markwarner.co.uk
Multigenerational families
Keep all ages entertained at Corfu’s Ikos Dassia, which opens in May. Alongside children’s clubs for guests aged four months to 17 years, there is a football academy, table tennis, mountain biking and a playground. Tempt customers with the promise of four pools, a private beach and the adults-only Ikos Spa, as well as pilates, Zumba and badminton.
The Sani Ikos Group has invested €110 million in the 411-room property, and Classic Collection Holidays purchasing manager Peter Cox explains: “This newest addition to the Sani Ikos brand has been beautifully finished, and offers a vast range of facilities for all ages.”
Book it: Classic Collection Holidays offers seven nights’ all inclusive for a family of six from £12,799. Price based on four adults and two children (aged eight and 12) sharing three rooms. Includes flights from Gatwick and private resort transfers. Departs July 25, 2018. classic-collection.co.uk
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